Apparatus for quenching metallic articles



F. H. MUELLER APPARATUS FOR QUENGHING METALLIC ARTICLES Dec. 21, 1948.

7 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec 8, 1942 Dec. 21, 1948. F. H.- MUELLER 2,456,984

APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed Dec. 8, 1942 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 n'azzklimller, 4

Dec. 21, 1948. F. H. MUELLER APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed Dec; 8, 1942 Swan/hick J fiankfimelzer,

Dec. 21, 1948. F. H. MUELLER 56,

APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed Dec. 8, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 :11 Won tom fi-mz fflMueller,

Dec. 21, 1948. F. MUELLER 2,456,984.

APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING METALLIC ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1942 Dec. 21, 1948.

F. H. MUELLER APPARATUS FOR QUENGHING METALLIC ARTICLES '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 8, 1942 Patented Dec. 21, 1948 APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING METALLIC ARTICLES Frank H. Mueller, Decatur, Ill., assignor to Mueller 00., Decatur, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 8, 1942, Serial No. 468,280

15 Claims.

This invention relates to method and apparatus for the heat treatment of articles of steel, and particularly articles of oblong shape, i. a, longer than broad, to provide therein successive longitudinal zones of different characteristics.

In the case of armor piercing steel projectiles or shot the metal at the head or nose must be extremely hard, whereas the metal in the forward portion of the projectile body must be of a toughness to Withstand shattering forces, and the metal at the base may be relatively softer, but characterized by toughness. The main object of the present invention is to provide method and apparatus by which these characteristics can be readily imparted with speed and accuracy. Accordin to the invention the suitably heated projectile is passed to a primary quenching station where it is subjected to a quenching action from its point back for a distance short of the band seat, and is then quickly passed to a secondary quenching station where the head only is subjected to a quenching action. The heat of the unquenched portion is then permitted to equalize throughout the quenched portion, the heat of equalization being such as to draw or temper the quenched portion. While the invention will be hereinafter described as applied in the treatment of projectiles, it is not limited in this respect and, as stated at the outset, is useful wherever the diiferential quenching of an oblong steel article is required. Other articles susceptible of treatment in accordance with the invention are chisels, bits and the like.

In the drawings, which show the apparatus of the invention in practical example:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is an end elevation, on an enlarged scale of a part of the primary quenching station as seen from the right of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section substantially on 1ine 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a section substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a section on line 1-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a section substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a section substantially on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a section on line lll-HJ of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a section on line I |l i of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a section on line l2l2 of Figure 11, and

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram.

The foundation for the apparatus, Figures 1 and 2, is provided by a rectangular tank l5 at the primary station S, this tank being supported in upwardly projectin relation by the end wall of a rectangular tank [6 at the secondary station S The tank I5 is rimmed at its upper end by a rectangular formation I! of angles from the outturned flanges of which rise pedestals I8 which support horizontal rectangular frames I9 and I9, each of which supports a primary quenching unit, The unit supported by the left hand frame I9 is detailed in Figures 2 to '7, and will be described. The right hand unit is a duplicate, and visible parts corresponding to those of the left hand unit will be given the primed reference numerals of the latter.

Frame [9 includes a top plate provided with a circular opening 2| above tank l5, the upper margin of the opening bein rabbetted and receiving on an interposed gasket the lower end of a cylinder 22. Interiorly cylinder 22 is provided with three vertically spaced annular grooves 23, these being angular in cross section with top and bottom walls at 45 to the horizontal planes in which their apices lie. Extending through the cylinder walls into the grooves are a plurality of small spray apertures 24, these meeting the upper groove walls at right angles. In other words, the perforations 24 are directed inwardly and downwardly at an angle of 45 to the vertical, and toward the axis of the cylinder.

Surrounding cylinder 22 in concentric relation thereto, is a cylinder 25 whose lower end is sealed in a groove'in the top of plate 20. An anchoring ring 26 is welded to the top of cylinder 25 and secured to ring 26 is an annular lid 21 provided with concentric grooves in which are secured, through suitable gaskets, the end of cylinder 22 and an upstanding rib of ring 26. Lid 2! has a central vertical opening 28 whose diameter is slightly greater than the body diameter of the projectile to be quenched. Cylinder 25 and the portions of plate 20 and lid 21 included between it and cylinder 22, constitute a jacket for the latter. Downwardly, the opening 28 is rimmed by an annular flange or lip 29 which extends somewhat below the top groove 23 and whose outer wall tapers downwardly to a bottom edge. The upper margins of opening 28 are beveled.

Referring particularly to Figure 5, cylinder 25 has ports 30 and 3| substantially tangential to cylinder 22 and into which are connected pipe sections 32 and 33 which connect into a threesided manifold 34. Section 35 of the manifold has a bottom opening substantially midway between the points of connection of sections 32 and 33 with the manifold and depending from section 35 in communication with the said opening is a short pipe section 36, Figure 7.

Reference numeral 3? designates a supply pipe for quenchingfiuid, which may here be assumed to be cold water, this line being i n-connection with pipe section 36 through a throttling valve 38 and a reciprocating shut-off valve 3% sup-. ported on a bracket 49 depending from the frame l9 and havin a vertically reciprocable actuating plunger which, through a collar H, is con.- nected to a push rod Q2 guided in an ear at the upper end of bracket so. The valve plunger is normally spring-urged to an upper position in which valve 39 is closed. In the drawings the plunger is shown as depressed, which means that the valve is open. Under these circumstances, quenching fluid in volume determined by the adjustment of valve 38, ,is lead .to the manifold 34 and thence to the annular chamber between cylinders 22; and 25. Due to the tangential arrangement of the ports 3!: and M, the fluid is givena swirling motion in the'annular chamber, and is sprayed downwardly into the quenching chamber defined by cylinder 22 through the downwardly directed perforations 213 so as to quickly supply a large number of quenching streamsdirected downwardly toward the axis of the quenching chamber. Pressure in the jacket is-controlled by. reference to a. gauge {the in communication with the jacket interior througha tube 25b.

.Mounted in bearing blocks it; and id which project inwardly from frame member Hid, is a rock shaft 15 to which is fixed a holder ll including radial arm 16 which terminates in a bowl Ala-which in one limit position of therock shaft assumes a position in which it is coaxial with the opening 28 of the lid 2? just below plate lib-as shown. The downwardly tapering cavity .or chamber of the bowl is provided with a number of inwardly projecting lugs 68 and a passage :19. leads from the bottom of the bowl to alateral port fidinto which is threaded a coupling member to which is connected one end of a loose len th of; flexible hose 52 whose other endis in connection with a cock 53 inserted in the supply line; 31 onthe discharge side of valve 35. In the illustrated, position of bowl 4 1, it is adapted to receive the head of a projectile passed through the. opening 29; and to support the projectile for quenching throughout acertain length, i. e., up .to: lip 29. seenthat quen h n fl id; i e su p the The valve 39 being open, it will be passage '39, as controlled. by cock, 53, and will be Thus, fluid being siheat.

The supply of; quenching: fluid through the P "holder; has: also: the impor ant eff t 0? pr en ing overheating; of the latter. r

.1 Rock shaft 45; has: fixed; thereto. a. radially projectingfinger 25135 which: overliessthe push. rod 42 or valve 39 as most clearly seen in Figure 3 wherein the finger is holding the push rod depressed so that valve 39 is open, the holder n being at the same time in the illustrated supporting position. Finger 54, as here shown, is part of a generally oppositely projecting arm 55 which through a longitudinally adjustable link 56 is pivoted to the vertically reciprocable element 5'! of a solenoid 53 supported on a frame 59 which rises from frame i9. In the various views the solenoid is considered to be energized so that its core is in its upper limit position and thus has-rocked shaft t5 so as to brin the holder llinto operative position beneath the quenching chamber andto depress push rod "5?. through fingerififi. Upon deenergization of the solenoid, the holder 4'? swings downwardly under the weight of the shot until arm at is in a substantially vertical position so that the projectile is released, its verticality being maintained by the longitudinally extended walls of openings 28, and immediately drops straight down from the quenching'chamber. At the same time, finger 5d, releases push rod 42 and valve 39 closes. Quenching fluid is thus supplied'only when the holder is in operative'relation with respect to guard 63, theaxislof tube 62 substantially intersecting the axis of opening28 of the quenching fixture lid. Within: housing 6! is disposed a photoelectric cell in a position to be affected by an incandescent projectile passing by the open end of tube 62 to the quenching fixture. Activation of the photoeelectric cell operates a relay to close a feedingcircuit to a timer 6% which in turn closes, for a period. determined by the setting of the timer, a ci'rcuit to a relay in the housing 65, which in turn establishes .a circuit to the solenoid. The timer .Mand magnetic relay 65 are supported by frame 59as. most clearly shown in Figure '7. Thewvarious circuits will be particularly described lateron with reference to the diagram of I Eigure l3.

Thus-each, timean incandescent shot is passed before the photoeelectric cell, the solenoid will be operated, holder al will assume its operative position, and valvefifi willbe simultaneously opened so that the forward-end of, the supported projectile will be quenched for the period determined by the timer. The quenching fluid escapes down- '-w ar dly,. oonfinedbya. guard '65 which depends from frame l9, into tank 15. The latter is provided with an. overflowcpening 6! to tank [5, escape being through a screen mounted in a holder E8 surrounding openingv 67. The tank l5 ex" tends downwardly andLbeluw. the overflow. open ing to a bottom wall'fili to provide a settling sump having, a. cleaneout openingclosed by a removable plate m, Figure 2.

Supported on top of tank. i6. is ,a pair of. transverse channels H .andflZ, Figures land 8,. these being located;relatively. close together in parallel relation. Spaced to the left of channel El, Figures 1 and 8, is a further transverse channel 13 which is connected to channel II through longitudinals I4 and I5. A longitudinal I6 projects from channel I2 toward tank I5. Supported on elements 1!, I2, and I4 to I6 is the bottom 11 of a pan I8 which has a cylindrical side wall I9. Bolted to the adjacent lower margins of channels 'II and T2 is a horizontal ring 30 which supports the shouldered lower end of a vertical tubular bearing BI which rises into pan I8 through a central opening in the bottom I1. Through a sealing ring 82 the bottom is sealed to bearing 8i and is secured to channels 'II and, "I2 through bolts 83 and spacers. A hollow vertical shaft 84 is journaled in sleeve 8i through top and bottom bushings, the shaft; having thrust bearing with the upper edge of sleeve 8|, through an outturned annular flange 85, integral with the upper end of shaft 86, and an out-turned annular portion of the upper bushing.

A circular cap 86 secured to the top of shaft 84 has a cylindrical depending skirt 8! to whose lower inner margin is secured a spacing ring 88 which bears against the exterior of sleeve BI. Radial arms or spokes 89 project from the hub BI and at their outer ends support an annular table 90 concentrically with shaft 84.

Table 99 is provided with two circular series of circular openings 9i and 92 concentric with the table axis. The openings of each individual series are equally spaced apart and each opening of each series is on a table radius with an opening of the other series. All the openings have the same diameter which, in the present instance, is somewhat greater than that necessary to freely pass the projectile bodies. radius as each set of inner and outer openings 9| and 92, vertically depending pins 93 and 94 have reduced ends welded in apertures in the table, pins 93 being disposed inwardly of openings 9| and pins 9-; outwardly of openings 92. Each set of pins 93, 94 guides for vertical reciprocation a carrier in the form of an elongated block 95 which has bores slidingly receiving the pins, the carriers being supported by the pins in lower limit position on abutments 9S and 9? at the lower ends of the pins. Each carrier 95 has vertical openings 98 and 99 aligned with openings 9! and 92, respectively. The openings are somewhat upwardly flared through rimming flanges I and Ill! to a top diameter substantially less than the body diameter of the projectile so as to be able to receive the tip portion of the projectile head and to support the projectile as steadied in the table openings. Beneath the openings 93 and 99 the blocks are upwardly offset to provide a central bottom follower portion I02. Located in the path of the latter, substantially opposite tank I5, is a ramp I83 having rollers I 04 and as each carrier comes to the ramp as the table is rotated in clockwise direction, Figure 1, it will be lifted from the lower limit position shown at the right, Figure 8, to the upper limit position shown at the left, Figure 8, wherein the flanges I00 and NH project through openings 9! and 92 substantially to the top level of the plate.

Arcuate pipes Hi and Illt are arranged on the bottom of the tank and extend beneath the carrier openings from a point adjacent tank I5 clockwise substantially up to the ramp ID3 Valved supply lines for cold Water lead to pipes I95 and Iiiii and the latter are provided along their length with top perforations through which the water enters the pan with agitating effect on the body of water maintained therein by an overflow fitting ID'I, Figures 1, 2 and 10.

On the same table Referring to Figure in particular, the fitting I01 comprises a body Hit having a horizontal port I09 leading to an upwardly extending cavity I I0 which is rimmed by a top threaded flange I I I. The fitting is welded to the lower side wall I9 of the pan in a position above tank It and with its port I09 in communication with an opening in the pan side wall just above the bottom TI. A tube I I2 projects upwardly from cavity I I0 and is adapted to be locked in vertically adjusted position through a packing including a gland nut I I3 threaded on flange II I. The lower end of tube H2 is recessed at H4 so as not to block flow through port I89. The tube is adjusted so that the liquid is maintained at such level in the tank that only the head portion of the projectiles will be in the water when the carriers are in their lower limit positions. When the carriers are in their disclosed upper limit positions the projectiles are entirely above the level of the water in the pan. The bottom 'I'I of the pan is cut away at Ila, Figure 1, above a sump 'IIb, Figure 2, which has a clean-out opening closed by a removable plate I'Ic which is equipped with a drain cock I'Id.

Overflow from fitting Ili'l goes to tank I6, the latter being provided with an overflow fitting I I5 which appears most clearly at the lower left of Figure 2. The fitting comprises a tubular horizontal portion H6 and a vertical portion In, the former being welded in an opening in a wall of the tank adjacent the tank bottom. Portion H? has an aperture H8 adjacent its bottom and welded around this opening, externally thereof, is a collar H9 which is threaded to take a plug I20. With plug I 28' applied, the liquid draining into tank It will rise until it can escape over the top of the vertical fitting portion II'I, so that foreign matter can settle out and not be carried over. When it is desired to clean out the tank, plug I is removed to permit the water to drain out through opening H8, The sludge can then be readily removed. These settling provisions are desirable inasmuch as for economical operation the water draining from tank It is collected and recirculated.

In Figures 1, 2 and 8, reference numeral I2I designates a variable speed reducer supported on angle I3 and in turn supporting an electric motor I22 whose armature shaft is connected to the input shaft of the reducer through a belt I23. Fixed on the out-put shaft of the reducer is the single toother drive element I24 of Geneva gearing which includes the ten-toother driven element I25 fixed on a shaft I26 journaled in hangers I21 and I28 beneath frame members II and I3. Shaft I28 has fixed thereon a bevel pinion I29 which is in operative engagement with a bevel gear I30 fixed on the lower end of shaft 84. Thus, when motor I22 is in operation, the table is indexed or stepped at intervals determined by the out-put speed of the reducer.

An inclined chute I 3|, Figures 1, 2, 11 and 12, supported from an angle II at the upper end of tank l5 by means of a bracket I32, has its upper end disposed on the axis of the quenching chamber defined by cylinder 22 and out of the path of swing of the holder ll so as to be able to receive the shot released by the latter. The chute is in the form of an angular trough and terminates downwardly above the circle of the inner series of table perforations 9!. The lower end of the chute is split to provide extensions which are welded to a tubular deflector I 33 which is disposed on a vertical axis, the inner side of aesaese thedefiectorbeing cut away at I34 to permit access -fthe-sh0t thereto. When a quenched projectile-is releasedby the. holder t? it drops into ,theup-per end'of the chute, and slides down the-chuteheadfirst to be directed vertically downwardly by-the deflector l33 into a table epening ei. The chute is. provided with bottom drainage openings 13m, Figure 6, so that hot fluid from theprimaryquencher will not. dilute the-fluid inpan-78. The table. drive is Sococrdinated-with the delivery periods of the primarynuenchentha'tupon each delivery by the latter an opening 9! will be directly below the deflector l 33:-and the table will, have been indexed to bring a succeeding opening 9! into registerwith the deflectorprior to the next delivery. The other primary quenching unitdelivers in thesame manner and simultaneously to chute lav-which is-arranged to transfer the received projectile to the table openings92 of the ,outer series.

Theprojectiles thus. delivered in, pairs to suecessive carriers-95 move around the pan stepby step and 'are eventually elevated by the .ramp to the position shown at the left of Figure ,8.

Sinceonlythelower tapered portion of the. head is received in. the carrier openings, the projectiles arefreely tiltable when thus elevated and at this point they engage-a horizontal bar 135 which extends-across the table and are forced to, tip backwardlyinto the table. To prevent them from roiling'ofha cylindrical guard. iSB, is fixed in upwardly extending relation to the. inner edge of the-table and a. guard lt'l is-provided on the upper edge of, the pan,- extending from the ramp toone, side of v a discharge opening ltt, Figure. 1

The othersicle of. the opening i323. is defined by an upwardly extending bar. I33 to .which is fixed a deflector plate M0 whose other end terminates adjacent the guard 135 atthe bar 535. Consequently, as the table movesaround the projectiles lying on thetable are forced by the deflector through the, opening I38 and down an apron l ll' toe, receiving table M2. whichas retaining walls Hi3 and Mi l.

Proper coordination of the delivery by. the, primary quenching units to the table of the sec- -'them to the right hand quenching unit.

In order that. the workmen may be enabled to.-charge the primary units at the proper intervals, I provide signalling apparatus in the form of-an electricbell M7 and an electric lamp I48, upper right, Figured Just. before it is time to recharge the units, the bell rings and the workmen are thus notified to withdraw shot from the pots. After'an interval giving them time for this operation,- the light shows, indicating that the shotsshould be charged into the units. The opera'tionlof the signalling means is effected from the drive element l24-of the Geneva gearing, this element,..of course, making one revolution between each indexing of the table SD.

Referring. toFigures 8 and 9, a bowed support 8539,. disposed between wheel 52% and. the speed reducer; carriesbrdclrets on. which are mounted pairofnnorrnally open micro-switches 1.50 and meter shot may be about '17. seconds. will alter in-accordancewith. such .factors, as the 55. .The switch L5G has an operating arm l 52 which. carries a roller {53 resting, on i a .spring finger id lwhichisinthe path. of the tooth lZrl. of wheel i245. Switch i 5! isoi identical construction and incluclesaspring arm '5 55 likewise in the path of tooth lilflandbeyond finger lt hsince tooth 25 is moving in the direction of, thearrow. r99 theinde ing of'vvheel 8.25 is half com- ;letedand when it is completed new set of openingsjd! and c2 willhbe in receiving relation to chutes, it i and, EH. Between this timeand' the next indexing movement the primary units must he charged'the primary quench. completed, and the quenched projectiles delivered to the table oi'the secondary. unit. Astooth lid continues its circuit, itv strikes finger i541 and closes switch and the hell. Ml .willring until the, tooth has passed beyond. the finger. As the tooth continues its travel it will similarly close switch iiii .so' that light. Hill will show for a short period andby the end oi this period theprimary units should have been charged. Primaryquenching and delivery to the table of the secondary. unit are completed prior to the. time tooth we again engages wheel i25 In Figure-11in three-phase 400 volt A. C. line is shown as led into a-main line switch boxltd. Leads lei; Hi2 and 1553 go to the table motor i 22 through a stop and start motor switch ltd. Wires iiiiland 55% go from leads IE2 and 53 respectively to the coil it? of solenoid iiilthroughthe relay, 65.

i.l,19volt-line isled into a switchv box 5'68 whence conductors 69 and. I'll! go to junction boxes iii andilZ and .to a circuit lit which includes lamp Mil-and micro-switch. lfil- Con,- ductors H39 and EM. also. go to the. primary coil of a 6-volt transformer Sl t whose-secondary is incircuit with bell. it? and: micro-switch lfiil.

A feeder line l-lt for the timer starts at-a plug file-at junction box H2; goes to the photo-electric relay in the housing ill, thence bacl; to box H2, thence to box 5?,21-111 thence to the timer. The

-.i-eeder one for the timer is closed when thecell associated with the-photo-electric relay isactivated, the timer thereupon closing a circuit i'llia leading from junction box- Hi to the coil ill of relay 65, and maintaining the circuit for an exact period as determlnedby the timer setting. Energization of coil ill closes the circuit including the coil 16! of solenoid 58 for the period determined by the timer.

As timed by the signallingtdevices' i l? and M8, worliineni deliver the projectiles from the lead pets to the'priinary'quenching'devices. The-lead pot is a'preferredform of heating apparatus for the reason that the projectiles can be readily brought thereby to a uniform temperature. This temperature is above the transformation" point, for example, frcmlEOi) to l-700 F.

As red hot projectiles'are passed in frontof the photo-electric'cells, the solenoids lid-and 58 are energizedso-that the holders swing instantaneously to holding position and the valves as at 39 are opened. After a predetermined: relatively short period during which only theproj 'e'ctilehead and forward" body portions are quenched the timers'cause the deenergization of the solenoids so that the projectiles are released and the Valves as at. 39 are closed. The period of this preliminary quenching is variable but in the case of all? milli- The period type of steel of which, the shot, aremade. At the end of the quench, the head ofthe shot may beat 9 a temperature of around 150 F., with the base still red hot, or substantially so.

After the release of the projectiles from the primary units, they quickly pass by gravity to the inner and outer openings of the table of the sec ondary apparatus and are supported by the carriers with only their head portions below the level of the quenching fluid. The secondary quench is maintained for alonger period than the primary quench and may last for several minutes. It is terminated when the ramp lifts the carriers to their upper limit, and, of course, the disposition of the ramp relative to the chutes determines the length of the re-quenching period, which can be varied to some extent without altering the setting of the timers.

During re-quenching, the heat of the unquenched portion of the shot starts to equalize as far as possible, and this equalization is allowed to continue throughout the quenched portion after the termination of the secondary quench. Then the projectiles are permitted to cool to room temperature. Equalization occurs from around 325 to 350 F., so that a drawing or tempering of the quenched portion of the projectile is efiected, and a superior article with the required diiierential zones is produced. It is a feature of the invention that quenching and re-quenching are carried out in such quick succession that thereafter the unquenched portion is enabled to furnish sufficient heat to draw or temper the quenched portion of the article.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible of variations without departure from the scope of the claims which follow. The apparatus may be adapted for the handling of articles other than projectiles, where such adaptation is nec-- essary. In the case of articles of considerable length, it is only necessary to heat such a length thereof, in addition to the portion to be quenched, that the heat of the unquenched portion will sufiice to draw or temper the quenched portion upon equalization.

I claim:

1. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and a bottom opening, a support movable to and from a fixed position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article immovably in said chamber, means for moving said support to supporting position and for holding the same against relative movement in said position, means activated by an article which is being passed into said charging opening for initiating operation of said moving means, and means for removing the support to a non-supporting position after a predetermined period to release the article.

2. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and bottom opening, a support movable to and from a fixed position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article against relative movement in said chamber, means for moving said support from an inoperative position to supporting position, means for actuating said moving means to shift the support from the inoperative position to the supporting position, the last mentioned means including a photo-electric cell disposed adjacent said charging opening so as to be affected by an incandescent article which is being passed into said charging opening, and means for moving the support to the inoperative position after a predetermined period to rel ase the article.

. 3. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and a bottom opening, a support movable to and from a fixed position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article in said chamber, means including a solenoid mechanically connected to the support for moving said support to and maintaining it immovably in supporting position, a circuit for said solenoid, and a timer controlling said circuit to move the support from the supporting position after a predetermined time interval.

a. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and a bottom opening, a support movable to and from a fixed position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article in said chamber, means including asolenoid mechanically connected to the support for moving said support to and maintaining it immovably in supporting position, a circuit for said solenoid, a timer controlling said circuit, and a photoelectric cell for initiating the operation of said timer and disposed adjacent said charging opening so as to be affected by an incandescent article which is being passed into said charging opening, said timer, after a predetermined time, being effective in the solenoid circuit to permit said support to move from supporting position to release the article.

5. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and a bottom opening, a support movable to a fixed position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article in said chamber and to a fixed position out of supporting relation to the article, means for directing a spray of quenching fluid into said chamber, a valve controlling the supply of quenching fluid, and means for periodically moving said support to supporting position and simultaneously opening said valve, said valve being automatically closed upon movement of said support to the other position out of supporting relation to the article.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the support moving and valve opening means includes a rock shaft on which the support is mounted and a finger on the rock shaft for operating the valve.

'1. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening, means including a solenoid-operated valve for supplying quenching fluid to said chamber, a circuit for said valve, and means for closing said circuit to open the valve including a photo-electric cell disposed adjacent said opening so as to be affected by an incandescent article which is being passed into said opening.

8. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber having a charging opening and a bottom opening and perforate side walls, a support movable to and from a position under said bottom opening wherein it is adapted to support an article in said chamber, said support having a passage which is upwardly directed toward a supported article when the support is in supporting position, and means for supplying quenching fluid under pressure to the chamber perforations and to said passage.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the fluid supplying means includes a normally closed valve, and wherein means are provided for automatically opening the valve when the support moves to supporting position.

10. Quenching apparatus comprising a quenching chamber inclnfiinganupright cylindenyerticallyspacejd circumferentially extending" internal grooves in' said cyl-inder, perforations extending through the cylinder walls and directed .downwardly and inwardlythrough the top walls of saidl'grooves, a jacket for said cylinder, and means for supplying quenching fluid ,to' said jacket,

111.. Quenching a paratus comprising a quenchingchamber including an upright cylinder, vertically spaced .circumferentially extending internal grooves in saidcylincler, perforations extending throughthe cylinder Wallsflan'd directeddownwardlyand inwardly through the top walls of said rooves a jacket for said cylinder, said jacket having an inlet port for pressure fluid directed substantially tangentially with respect tO-said cylinder.

12, Quenching apparatus comprisin a quench ingchamber disposer onavertical axis having a charging openingand'a bottom opening, a support pivoted On ahorizontal axis spaced laterally from theflcihamb r' axis and swin a le from an inoperativeposition spaced from the chamber axis to a'fixedisupporting position coaxial with the chamber under the "bottom opening wherein itiisadapted fixedly to support an article in the chamber, means for iswinsins' s pp rt from the'inoperativeto the supporting position and for holding the same im c a y'in the latter position,.means'activated by an article entering the charging ,opening forinitiating operation of the last .mfintioned' .means, and means '1 or swinging thesupport totheinoperative position aftera predeterminedperiod to release the article,

13. Apparatus in accordancewith claim'12 in which the means for swinging {the support and for holding the "same in supporting-position in- I2 clu'des a solenoid mechanically connected'ito' the support.

,14. Apparatus in-a'ccordan'ce with claim 5?j which the means for supplyingquenching-fluid to the upwardly directed passage inthe supportin cludes' a flexible. conduit section, facilitating movement of the support.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim' 8 characterized in thatthe upwardly directedpas sage .in the support terminates in an article en gagingsurface, whereby quenching fluidisdelivered by the passage to the end facejoflthe article.

FRANK H. MUELLER REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATEN"I$3 Number Name Date 466,441 Simonds Jan.'5, 1892 620,682 Swarta Main 7, 1899 2,348,232 Trautman et al May. 9, 1914 1,285,583 Baily et a1 Nov. 26,1918 1,333,767 Napier Mar. 16,1920 1,513,628 Risser Oct28 1924 1,381,611 Hynes Oct. 11,1932 2,196,960 Dunn Apr. 9,1940 2,202,759 Deneen May, 28, 19.40 2,215,724 Judge Se'pt.,29, 1940 2,280,470 Bridges Apr. 21, 1942 2,329,188 Deneen Sept. 14, 19513 2,325,700 Garlitis Sept; 25;, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 316,362 France Apr. 26,1937 

